ATF Review, Part Two
I mentioned in passing in the previous post that there was a bit of a "war" theme at ATF this year. This was perhaps one of the most disturbing trends of the weekend, for various reasons.
1. There was no clear definition at all of the enemy's identity. Generally, the students were accosted with a slew of statistics about how many teens are getting pregnant, having abortions, doing drugs, etc. right before pressing the war theme, which involved bold calls to "take a stand." With no clear definition of the "enemy," it would be very easy for teens to run home and think they are supposed to unleash an unmerciful barrage of criticism on anyone who would commit such sins.
2. This leads to point number two, which was the absolute absence of mercy in the message. Sin is bad; the Bible is right. Therefore, go take a stand against sin. Not, "Go preach the gospel," but "fight the war."
3. There was absolutely no balance whatsoever. Verse after verse using "war time" metaphors ("fight the good fight;" "put on the full armor;" "violent people take the kingdom by force," etc.) were severed from their literary contexts in Scripture, and there was not a single reference to a verse about peace. Not a single mention that Jesus gave us a different way of "fighting a war" than developing an offensive attack strategy. No "blessed are the peacemakers;" "live at peace with all people;" "pray for kings, etc...so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life." It was all about getting loud and riled up. All throughout Saturday evening, every couple of minutes, "Joel the Superchristian" would say, "Let's hear your battle cry!" And thousands of teens would erupt into shouting.
4. The whole thing, as far as I could tell, was a big advertisement to get all the teens to go to Teenmania's big "Battle Cry" event next year. This event was played up as the ONLY way to take a stand in this generation. After getting us all fired up about the event, we were "challenged" to get in our youth groups, discuss how many God wanted us to bring to the event next year, and submit a card with the number along with our youth group contact info. Our discerning youth group (I'm so proud of them) looked at me and said, "how 'bout zero?" Good for them. I told them we'd do something different; perhaps calculate the amount of money we'd waste going to the big event and use it to do ministry in the area. You know, like feeding the poor, and taking care of orphans and widows. Remember that?
Next youth group lesson is going to be a discussion of Michael Spencer's article, Wretched Urgency. After that, I think we'll watch Saved! and have some good discussion. No more silly nonsense. Time to follow Jesus instead, who told His disciples to put down their weapons and pick up a cross.
1. There was no clear definition at all of the enemy's identity. Generally, the students were accosted with a slew of statistics about how many teens are getting pregnant, having abortions, doing drugs, etc. right before pressing the war theme, which involved bold calls to "take a stand." With no clear definition of the "enemy," it would be very easy for teens to run home and think they are supposed to unleash an unmerciful barrage of criticism on anyone who would commit such sins.
2. This leads to point number two, which was the absolute absence of mercy in the message. Sin is bad; the Bible is right. Therefore, go take a stand against sin. Not, "Go preach the gospel," but "fight the war."
3. There was absolutely no balance whatsoever. Verse after verse using "war time" metaphors ("fight the good fight;" "put on the full armor;" "violent people take the kingdom by force," etc.) were severed from their literary contexts in Scripture, and there was not a single reference to a verse about peace. Not a single mention that Jesus gave us a different way of "fighting a war" than developing an offensive attack strategy. No "blessed are the peacemakers;" "live at peace with all people;" "pray for kings, etc...so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life." It was all about getting loud and riled up. All throughout Saturday evening, every couple of minutes, "Joel the Superchristian" would say, "Let's hear your battle cry!" And thousands of teens would erupt into shouting.
4. The whole thing, as far as I could tell, was a big advertisement to get all the teens to go to Teenmania's big "Battle Cry" event next year. This event was played up as the ONLY way to take a stand in this generation. After getting us all fired up about the event, we were "challenged" to get in our youth groups, discuss how many God wanted us to bring to the event next year, and submit a card with the number along with our youth group contact info. Our discerning youth group (I'm so proud of them) looked at me and said, "how 'bout zero?" Good for them. I told them we'd do something different; perhaps calculate the amount of money we'd waste going to the big event and use it to do ministry in the area. You know, like feeding the poor, and taking care of orphans and widows. Remember that?
Next youth group lesson is going to be a discussion of Michael Spencer's article, Wretched Urgency. After that, I think we'll watch Saved! and have some good discussion. No more silly nonsense. Time to follow Jesus instead, who told His disciples to put down their weapons and pick up a cross.
posted by Travis Prinzi @ 4:18 PM
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